NBA Bans Sterling: Is Punishment Harsh Enough?

4/29/2014 4:04PM

The NBA has banned Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life and will try to force a sale of the team. Is it enough to pacify players and fans? WSJ's Sharon Terlep and Robert Tuchman, Goviva president, discuss on the News Hub. Photo: Getty Images.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

... the ... immediately ... abating Mr. Stirling ... for light from any association ... with the Clippers organization ... for the NBA ... I'm also finding Mr Stirling ... two point five million dollars ... the maximum amount ... allowed under the NBA Constitution ... I will urge the board of governors ... to exercise its authority ... to force a sale of the team ... and will do everything in my power ... to ensure that that happens ... welcomes your team day acting in news have I'm Sara Murray ... NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces the punishment for Clippers owner Donald Sterling after Mr. Stirling was caught on tape making racist comments ... already lots of reaction to this news former players like Magic Johnson weighing in to support the NBA decision ... and putting pressure on other NBA team owners can vote to force Mr Stirling to sow ... meanwhile the Clippers website has declined dark except for just three where ... we are one ... joining me now is Robert Tuchman president of sports marketing firm Goviva and WSJ's sports reporter Sharon Terlep ... thanks for joining the ... series won a set with you and this looks like pretty much harsher punishment is you can come up with what we do or take them one at supper had to say today ... we knew is I mean this is essentially I'm crests and ... I think I'll added that a lot leading up to this was that the NBA was limited in what to do ... and there is a good chance to ... compete get away with this ... and Sony was clear they were under tremendous pressure I mean this was ... also the NBA ... is under pressure for allowing that behavior or suspected be earmarked for a long time so ... so was clear that it was going to be strong and I think he had the idea that he's under serious pressure to sell was beaten is somewhat a surprise ... it's pretty clear their financial implications for this we flew in at least half a dozen me though it doesn't sponsor is ... distancing themselves from the Clipper is is that the path I'm ... I think for re now it's been a pacifier then because this is all that silver could do at this point ... I do think when you look it with all the sponsors of already pulled out if this guy is still involved with the organization ... they're not to sponsor the team ... Sharon and I attacked the use of the next move is can it be this info among the under Isiah ... three fourths of them to vote today especially force them to sell the team ... how likely is that ... here I mean it's ... it's it's yet to be seen anyone beyond ... the one group that is fairly quiet we've heard things here and there I mean they're there certainly has an outpouring I mean ... I think it makes sense that he would believe that there's a lot of sense ... the Hang getting Sterling out in order to come out with this ... uncertainty is past lightning when things were trying to figure out is that he has devoted a secret ballot is going to be clear who both won a battle make a difference ... it's a little the last eight Gets BC ... I wanna get for your thoughts on this because even if he pees is to return half billion dollar fine ... even if he is forced to sell the team ... hundred million dollars by the billionaire how big the punishment is this really Robert ... I think it's actually a huge punishment because the facts in the manner late he said this guy's a billionaire he has everything ... that saying that he wants the thing that he really loves has been associated with this team is on the team for over thirty years ... the thing that he was in one says the Clippers if he can have that yes you can and everything else ... but if you can have your team in the league at you help for ... you you really get a hand for something that he has been a lot can what's your take on the tree that I mean there's a ... their ... faces ... it's that lucrative team in the lucrative market he wanted to sell it when it's all that I now so clearly he doesn't wanna let this property now I it'll be interesting to